World needs to fight terrorism unitedly: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has succeeded in convincing the world that there was a need to unite against terrorism and the menace can be easily fought if all powers having faith in humanity come together.

Addressing the Friends of India event at the Expo Centre here on Thursday, Modi termed his visit to Russia as "very successful and fruitful".

Modi said Russia had always stood as "power" beside India and this was a relationship of friendship.

"If one country stood by India through good times and bad then it is Russia," he said.

Modi spoke of India's demographic dividend and his governments' efforts to make it a manufacturing hub.

"Earlier, India was only seen as a market but now it is seen as a manufacturing hub for the world."

He said all agencies describe India as the fastest growing economy in the world with most promise.

He said India had been telling the world about the threats from terrorism for the past 30 years but it was not taken seriously.

"The world has accepted what India has been saying on terrorism: an enemy of humanity that needs to be countered through international cooperation," he said.

Modi said he and Russian president Vladimir Putin had talked in detail about the future of Eurasia and how it can create more opportunities for growth.

"We have explored the infinite possibilities. Our friendship with Russia can create prosperity in the entire Eurasian region," he said.

He said Indian students in Russia should encourage at least five Russian families to visit India.

Modi, whose speech was preceded by a cultural programme, said a woman -- Sati Kazanova, born to a Muslim family in Russia, a pop singer, had recited Vedic mantras.

He extended his wishes to people on Christmas. Modi also remembered former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee whose birthday falls on December 25.

Modi said he had been told that about 45,000 people took part in yoga programmes held in Russia to mark the International Day of Yoga.